Pile inspection and repair cell



July 18, 1967 DU VAL cRAvENs ETAL 3,331,211

`PILE INSPECTION AND REPAIR CELL ATTORNEYS.

July 18, l967 DU VAI. cRAvs-:Ns ETAL. 3,331,21l

V PILE INSPECTION AND REPAIR CELL Filed April l5, 1964 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

July 18, l957 Du VAL cRAvENs ETAL 3,331,211

PILE INSPECTION AND REPAIR CELL Filed April 15, 1964 United States Patent O 3,331,211 PILE INSPECTION AND REPAIR CELL Du Val Cravens, Buffalo, and Mark M. Philippbar, Kenmore, N.Y., assignors to Osmose Wood Preserving Co. of America, Inc., Buffalo, N.Y.

Filed Apr. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 359,035 8 Claims. (Cl. 61-63) This invention relates to a new and useful apparatus for the inspection, treatment and repair of structure supporting piles and the like.

Many over water structures, such as piers and wharfs, are built upon a system of closely spaced wooden or concrete supporting piles. These piles are subject to deterioration, which can proceed quite rapidly, in an area extending above and below the water line. It is in this area that the action of marine life, waves and weather combine to corrode or otherwise deteriorate the piles.

Periodic inspection of the piles to discover and repair any deterioration can substantially increase the life expectancy of the piles and the `safety of the supported structures. In carrying out such inspection and repair, however, several diliculties are encountered. For example, any :apparatus used for this purpose must be able to pass between the closely placed piles. Also, the apparatus should exclude water from the suspect area, while inspection or repair is being carried on. In addition, workmen employing the apparatus must be able to perform the necessary inspection and repair in safety, and with relative convenience.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a pile repair cell which facilitates inspection and repair of piles below the Water line without the use of diving equipment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pile repair cell which affords workmen the maximum working room and safety.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a pile repair -cell which can be easily maneuvered between adjacent, closely placed piles.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pile repair cell which can be placed about any size or shape of pile in substantially water-tight relation thereto.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pile repair cell which can be placed about a pile without need for operating personnel to be in the water.

The pile repair cell of the present invention is characterized, in one aspect thereof, by the provision of a housing, generally oblong-shaped in plan View, constructed in mating half sections for placement about a suspect pile. When the sections are in place about the pile, the housing is emptied of water to expose the deteriorated area to workmen in the housing. The base of the housing contains a pneumatic seal which can be inflated to effect a seal about any size or shape of pile, and the housing is held in position about the pile by means preventing horizontal and vertical movement.

These and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of our invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, in conjunction with the n accompanying drawings depicting the same, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an inspection and repair cell of our invention, in place in the water and about a pile;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional View thereof, taken about on line 2 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG.. 3 is a top plan view of the cell, taken about on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken about on line 4-4 of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale;

3,331,21 l Patented July 18, 1967 FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken about on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken about on line 6 6 of FIG. 5, on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View taken about on line 7-7 of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 5 shows the pile repair cell of my invention, generally designated 10, in place about a pile 2. The pile is shown deteriorating in an area 3 extending above and below the Water line 4. The pile repair cell 10 includes a housing 12 generally oblong-shaped in plan view and open at the top. Housing 12 has a base portion 14 and an upstanding side wall portion 16 welded or otherwise secured thereto and having rounded ends 13, 15. To facilitate the placement of cell 10 about a pile, housing 12 is divided vertically through its shorter dimension into mating half-sections 18, 20. Fixed about the wall 16 of each half section 18, 20 are a plurality of vertically spaced, inverted L-shaped rib elements 23, 25, respectively. The rib elements 23, 25 are Welded to wall 16, -and have their respective ends 27, 29 formed to receive and support mating V-shaped angle members 26, 28, respectively. Female members 26 have gaskets 30 of suitable material bonded thereon to seat against male members 28 in sealing engagement therewith, and thereby provide a fluid tight seal at the joint between the side walls 16 of the mating housing sections 18, 20.

' In like manner, mating female and male angle members 31, 33 are carried by the base 14 of housing section 18, 20, respectively, on opposite sides of the center thereof, the female members 31 carrying gasket material such as shown at 30 for sealing against the male members 33 to render fluid tight the juncture between housing sections 18, 20 along base 14. The lower ends of memhers 26, 28 and the outer ends of members 31, 33, respectively, are mitered and joined, as by welding, the members 31, 33 extending inwardly along bottom 14 from members 26, 28 at side Walls 16 to pneumatic seal retainer 34. Members 31, 33 can be welded to base 14.

Base 14 has a central opening 32 therethrough, to receive and accommodate the pile 2. It is a particular feature of our invention that housing 12 can be used with vpiles of widely varying sizes and shapes, and will seal thereagainst in uid tight relation thereto, this being accomplished as follows. Fixed to the underside of housing base 14, `about opening 32, is a two part seal retainer 34, one half of the retainer being provided on the base portion 14 of each housing section 18, 20. Seal retainer 34 forms a housing each half section of which has a bottom wall 36 spaced from base 14 by a side wall 38 welded or otherwise secured to base 14. Bottom wall sections 36 are serni-circularly recessed, to define a hole 39 therethrough concentric with and of about the same size as opening 32, for purposes explained hereinbelow.

Disposed within each retainer section is one half of an annular, two part pneumatic seal 40. Each pneumatic seal half is tubular, and generally semi-circular. The opposite ends of each seal section are closed, and each seal section is provdied with a valve stem 42, extending through the retainer side wall 38. Each valve stem 42 is connected to an air supply line 44 extending up through the rib elements 23, 25. Lines 44 terminate at valves 46 selectively controlling the inflation of each pneumatic seal half, independently of the other half. Control valves 46 are 'adapted for detachable connection', by means of standard disconnect couplings 47, hoses 49, and supply line 48 to a suitable source of gas under pressure for supplying inilating gas to each part of pneumatic seal 40.

Pneumatic seal 40 forms a fluid tight seal between pile 2 and housing base 14 by expanding within retainer 34, beyond the hole 39 and against the pile 2, in sealing engagement therewith. Each seal section is provided adjacent its ends with tabs 41 fastened to the associated retainer section, as shown at 43, for holding the deflated sections therein. `Inflation secures the seal sections in place in the retainer. Seal 40, in conjunction with the seals at 31, 33 seal the horizontal joint between the housing sections 18, 20 completely across base 14 thereof, while the seals at 26, 28 seal the vertical joints between housing sections 18, 20 completely along the sides 16 thereof. Rubber end covers 80 are positioned over each half section of retainer 34, at the opposite ends thereof between side wall 38 and opening 39. Covers 80 are held in place by bars 81 and 82 bolted or otherwise secured to base 14 and bottom wall 36, respectively.

As stated hereinabove, housing 12 is oblong-shaped in plan view, having rounded ends 13, 15. Rounded ends 13, 15 are arcs, each of which includes an angle of approximately 165, and the housing side wall portions 16 extend tangentially from the rounded ends 13, 15. This construction adds to the structural strength of the cell, while increasing the sealing force on male and female joint members 26, 28 and 31, 33 from external fluid pressure on the housing sections 18, 20. It also provides maximum working room within the cell, while enabling the cell to be positioned between closely spaced piles.

Housing sections 18, 20 are guided into mating relationship by guide pin openings 54 in members 26, receiving tapered guide pins 56 projecting from members 28.

Latches 57 can be of conventional, toggle action, each having an actuating lever 70 pivoted at one end on a fitting 71, as shown at 72, and a hook member 73 pivotally connected to lever 70 between its ends, as shown at 74. The end 75 of hook member 73 is adapted to engage a hook 58, in the case of the top latches 57, and a hook 59 in the case of the side latches 57. Lever 70 then can be manipulated to dr-aw the housing sections together, in fluid tight, clamped engagement.

The side latch fittings 71, 59 are mounted on bars 58', 57', respectively, secured against joint members 28, 26 and ribs 23, 25, as by welding. The top latch fittings are welded or otherwise secured to tie struts 64.

Cell is maintained in position about pile 2 by thrust screws 60 and gripper members 62. Screws 60 are threadedly mounted on tie struts 64 which span each housing section 18, 20 adjacent its open upper end. Struts 64 are bowed, to clear pile 2. Screws 60 horizontally abut and engage pile 2, to horizontally position cell 10 about pile 2.

Gripper members 62 are pivoted on one end of turnbuclcles 61, the opposite ends of which are pivotally connected to hinges 63 carried by housing sections 18, 20 adjacent the upper ends of the vertical joints therebetween. Grippers 62 are positioned on opopsite sides of housing 12, in right angular relationship to thrust screws 60, and are disposed to engage pile 2 at an elevation above the cell housing 12 and counteract the buoyancy of the cell 10 when water is pumped therefrom. Turnbuckles 61 provide a means for adjusting the spacing between grippers 62 and the housing side wall 16, and because of the placement of the grippers on opposite sides of housing 12 at the joints between the sections, the thrust force exerted against the housing through the gripper assemblies is not in a direction tending to separate the sections, and is resisted by tie struts 64. Fittings 63 can overlie the joints, Y

for added stability.

To increase the buoyancy of each housing half section 18, 20, for otation into and out of assembled relation about the pile, side wall portion 16 is provided with a layer of any suitable buoyant material 65, such as polyurethane foam. Material 65 is positioned between ribs 23, 25 completely around the cell except at the lower end portions, and around the bottom as clearly shown in FIG. 1. A protective cover 66, of galvanized steel or other suitable material is xed to the rib elements 23, 25, over foam 65, to protect side wall 16 and buoyant material 65 from damage while the housing sections 18, 20 are being rnaneuvered between piles, or otherwise being handled. Any exposed ends of foam 65 can be covered by closures 67 of wood or other suitable material.

Lift eyes 68, 68 are mounted on housing 12, and struts 64, respectively, for ease in lifting and maneuvering the housing sections. The lower end portions of housing 12 are left free of flotation material for better balance and ease of handling.

In operation, housing sections 18, 20 are placed in the water and floated into position about the pile to be inspected or repaired. The housing sections are then mated and latched together about the pile. Thrust screws 60 are manipulated to centrally locate housing 12 about the pile 2, and grippers 62 are engaged with the pile. Valves 46 are opened to inflate the pneumatic seal 40, which then forms a uid tight joint between pile 2 and housing base 14. Any suitable pump means (not shown) is then activated to remove water from within cell 10. The removal of water increases the pressure on the housing sections 18, 20 forcing them more tightly together to render the juncture between the housing sections water tight completely therealong. When the interior of the cell is completely free of water, the pile area 3 is exposed and workmen can enter the cell to work on the pile.

Thus, it will be appreciated that this invention provides a pile inspection, treatment and repair cell which is quickly and easily put into position about a pile. The oblong shape of housing 12 allows the cell to fit easily between closely spaced piles while affording maximum working room in the cell. The straight-sided `arched monoque construction of housing 12 also provides maximum structural strength, with the side wall 16 acting as a stressed skin structure. Pneumatic seal 40 enables a seal to be effected quickly and easily about any size or shape of pile, thereby increasing the utility of the repair cell 10. The seal is not compressed about the pile, as such, but is expanded to conform to the size and shape of the pile for sealing engagement therewith. Also, the seal is selfsecuring, without need for mechanical fasteners, because inflation of the seal anchors it on the retainer. Gripper members 62 provide a restraint of buoyancy uplift which is in direct proportion to the uplift force, and which utilizes the pile independently of external sources of support. Grippers 62 also resist cell collapse from the pressure of water on side wall portion 16. With our apparatus, assembly and disassembly are carried out above water, and there is no need for the operator to enter the water.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is given by way of illustration only, and that various modifications and variations of the pile inspection and repair cell described in detail herein can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having fully disclosed and completely described our invention, together with its mode of operation, what we claim as new is:

1. A pile inspection and repair cell comprising:

(a) a housing adapted for placement about a pile, said housing having a base and an opstanding wall;

(b) said base having a circular opening therein to accommodate the passage therethrough of a pile;

(c) a pneumatic seal carried by said housing about said opening, said seal being expandable radially inwardly to effect a fluid tight seal against a pile extending through said opening; and

(d) means for maintaining said cell in position about a pile, said means including gripper members comprising braces hinged adjacent one end to said wall on opposite sides of said housing adjacent the top thereof and inclining upwardly and inwardly from said wall, said braces having means at their other ends for engaging a pile extending through said opening to thereby resist the buoyancy of said cell.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, together with a seal retainer carried `by said base on the underside thereof, about said opening, said pneumatic seal being disposed within said retainer for inflation against a pile.

3. A pile inspection and repair cell as set forth in claim 1, in which said housing is generally oblong-shaped in plan view, the opposite ends thereof being rounded to form arcs of less than 180 and the opposite sides thereof extending tangentially of said arcuate ends.

4. A pile inspection and repair cell as set forth in claim 1, in which said housing is divided through said wall and base thereof into mating half sections, said pneumatic seal being divided into sections carried on the underside of the base of said housing sections and forming an annular seal about a pile when said housing sections are assembled thereabout.

S. A device as set forth in claim 4, together with supply line means and control valve means for selectively inlating each seal section independently of the other.

`6. A pile inspection and repair cell comprising:

(a) a housing having a base and an upstanding Wall, said housing being divided into mating half sections to facilitate the placement of said housing about a pile;

(b) said base having an opening therein for passage of a pile therethrough;

(c) a seal carried by said housing about said opening `for sealing engagement against a pile;

(d) rneans for securing said housing sections together about a pile;

(e) means maintaining said cell in position about a pile;

(f) said last-named means including thrust screw members carried by said housing to horizontally abut a pile and thereby to center said cell about the pile; and

(g) gripper members hinged to said upstanding side wall portion adjacent the top thereof, said gripper members being disposed t-o incline upwardly and in- Wardly against a pile to resist the buoyancy uplift of said cell wherein said gripper members are secured to said housing adjacent the joint between said sections and in approximately right angular relationship to said screws.

7. A pile inspection and repair cell as set forth in claim 1, said housing being divided into mating half sections to facilitate the placement of said housing about a pile, each housing section including a rounded end portion arcuate through less than and Haring side wall portions tangent thereto, and means for securing said housing sections together about a pile.

8. A pile inspection and repair cell as set forth in claim 1, said housing being divided into mating half sections to facilitate the placement of said housing about a pile, means for securing said housing sections together about a pile; generally V-shaped mating male and female members extending along the mating edges of said housing sections; gasket material carried by `one of said V-shaped members for engagement with the other thereof to provide a uid tight seal between said housing sections; guide pins disposed along one of said mating members; and corresponding guide pin slots in the other of said mating members to receive said pins.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 395,265 12/1888 Clarke 61-68 978,643 12/1910 Quist 61-54 1,807,962 6/1931 Cassiere 61-54 2,106,315 1/1938 Brooks et al 52585 X 2,636,354 4/1953 Glassgold `61'-54 X 2,839,790 6/ 1958 Collings 52-595 X 2,952,131 9/1960 Lyroudias 61-5364 X 3,083,665 2/1963 Steidley 114-5 3,197,968 8/1965 Castellanos 61-54 X DAVID I. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. JACOB SHAPIRO, Examiner. 

1. A PILE INSPECTION AND REPAIR CELL COMPRISING (A) A HOUSING ADAPTED FOR PLACEMENT ABOUT A PILE, SAID HOUSING HAVING A BASE AND AN UPSTANDING WALL; (B) SAID BASE HAVING A CIRCULAR OPENING THEREIN TO ACCOMMODATE THE PASSAGE THERETHROUGH OF A PILE; (C) A PNEUMATIC SEAL CARRIED BY SAID HOUSING ABOUT SAID OPENING, SAID SEAL BEING EXPANDABLE RADIALLY INWARDLY TO EFFECT A FLUID TIGHT SEAL AGAINST A PILE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENING; AND (D) MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID CELL IN POSITION ABOUT A PILE, SAID MEANS INCLUDING GRIPPER MEMBERS COMPRISING BRACES HINGED ADJACENT ONE END TO SAID WALL ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID HOUSING ADJACENT THE TOP 